Baguio tree surgeons operate on first 'patient' at Burnham Park

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines - The city's new “surgeons" on Friday finally operated on their first patient using a power chainsaw, mallet and carpentry tools. The “patient" did not scream even as the chainsaw hacked the “limbs." A sickly agoho tree at Burnham Park was the first to be "operated on" by City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) workers who took a crash course on tree surgery. City officials said the “surgeons" removed beetles and other bugs from the agoho. These insects were slowly killing the tree. Using disinfectant, coal tar, varnish and cement, tree surgeons gave the agoho a life-extending "reconstructive surgery." The city had sought the help of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in efforts to preserve the remaining pine and other trees in the city. They CEPMO staff were the first to take the crash course on tree surgery, said Mayor Reinaldo Bautista. He said next would be barangay officials or . - GMANews.TV